......Welcome to "www.DetroitTransitHistory.info".... LATEST ADDITION!!(Added Jan. 22, 2015)... Twelve (12) new photos—featuring the DSR's first 40-foot transit bus—added to "Page 3" of the 1950's Photo Gallery under the "Fleet Photos" division of website. ....THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEBSITE...... — + — ......YOU CAN NOW FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK...TWO WAYS!!!...... For the Latest Additions to the Website, Along with Your Comments and Suggestions, Visit Our "Official" Facebook Page "DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY" and "LIKE" Us on Facebook......Also!!!...... Join Us and Discuss Your Detroit Transit Memories from Back in the Day. Check Us Out at "DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY MEMORIES" on Facebook Groups.............

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(1922 – 1974)

(1974 – PRESENT)

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A BRIEF LOOK-BACK AT DETROIT's TRANSIT HISTORY

The City of Detroit has a rich long history in public transportation, stretching back to the days of the horse-drawn rail cars of the 1860's. Back when the right to operate public transit on Detroit streets was granted to numerous private streetcar companies.

During the 1890's, the arrival of the electric powered streetcar replaced the horse-drawn rail cars, but the ownership rights were still in the hands of the private owners.

Beginning in 1901, all of the Detroit street railway and interurban operations in and around the city were consolidated under one privately owned company. This new company became known as the Detroit United Railway (D.U.R.).

But in May of 1922, all city streetcar operations were taken over by the City of Detroit under its newly formed Department of Street Railways — better known as the D.S.R. Shortly thereafter, the City of Detroit also entered into the transit bus business when the D.S.R.'s Motorbus Division began operations in January of 1925. After January, 1932, all public transportation within the city limits would be operated solely by the D.S.R.

During the D.S.R. era, the City of Detroit operated one of the largest municipally owned and operated transportation systems in the world. During its heyday, the city-owned system operated a fleet of well over 2,800 vehicles, including streetcars, electric trackless trolley-coaches, and motorbuses. In April, 1956, the last of the streetcars were removed, and diesel buses took-over.

In July, 1974, the D.S.R. became the Detroit Department Of Transportation (DDOT), which is still the current public transit provider for the citizens of Detroit.

The DetroitTransitHistory.info web-site will attempt to take you on a historic journey back in time....back to the day when public transit in Detroit greatly impacted the lives of Detroiters.